Bestbuy Ushers in New Board, Honours Outgoing Chairman

Highlights of Bestbuy Distributors’ 56th annual shareholder meeting included a major charitable contribution to the Hospital for Sick Children and a rousing East Coast send-off dinner for retiring chairman Howie Mackenzie.

The event, held in Mississauga at Doubletree by Hilton Toronto Airport, attracted shareholders from across Canada.

The highlight of the AGM event was a special dinner in honour of retiring chairman Howie MacKenzie of Rafuse Autoparts Centre, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Guests enjoyed an Atlantic Canadian-themed dinner and a high-energy, traditional Celtic folk band.

MacKenzie and Bestbuy president Jeff VandeSande also had the honour of announcing the 2009 Horace J. Pratt Award recipient, Stan Urovitz, in recognition of Urovitz’s personal excellence in past service and support to Bestbuy Distributors. Stan Urovitz’s son, Larry Urovitz, accepted the award on his behalf.

The organization also presented its annual contribution to support the Hospital For Sick Children in the amount of $15,000, which brings the total support dollars to over $600,000.

Shareholders also elected the 2010 Board of Directors. Bestbuy’s new chairman is Dale Devlin of Halton Automotive, and returning directors include vice-chairman Doug Squires, Colonial Auto Parts & A.P.M. Limited; secretary-treasurer Farrukh Alam, Alam’s Auto Parts; Gary Thibault, The Partsman; Claudio Sceppacerqua, The Young Automotive Professionals; Brad Nahorney, Sapphire Auto; Alex Trichas, Dorval Auto Parts; and new director, Don Harvey, Central Transport Refrigeration.